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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

As part of the launch of her paranormal romance title 1303 Dragonslayer today, one of my fave writer-friends, Christine Rains, takes over the reigns of Amlokiblogs.
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I'd love to say that I had a “Eureka!” moment or that my muse is a genius, but story ideas don't often come to me in that manner. The 13th Floor series was born of wondering and following the never-ending questions that pop up with it.

Why do some buildings not have a thirteenth floor? Are superstitions really that powerful? What if there was something real behind the superstition? What if a building that didn't make space for a thirteenth floor had one? Where did it come from? Why was it there? Who would live there?

What if questions are a lot of fun to toy with in your mind. Sometimes I play with an idea for months, going through all the possible what ifs until I hit upon the one that wows me. It's a great way to stir the imagination, and an excellent tool for any writer. I find it's highly effective in beating writer's block whether you're stuck on a scene or searching for an idea for a new story.

Asking what if will get you a new idea, but then you must follow it up with a why. This will provide you with motivation for your characters. I've gone through all my what ifs for each novella in my series, but the overall why still eludes me.

Does this worry me? No. The answer's there. I just have to keep asking to find it.

I know some writers need the why before they put any words on paper, but I trust in my pantser instincts. The genius moment will come as I write the ending.

Do you play with 'what if' questions? Do you need the why of something before you start writing?----------

Dargonslayer Series 3: Blurb: On the rooftop of neighboring building, dragonslayer Xanthus Ehrensvard fires at his target, Governor Whittaker. How he missed the shot, he doesn't know, but fleeing the scene, he picks up an unwanted passenger. Gorgeous reporter Lois King saw Xan's face, and she believes it's the story to make her career. Except he can't let her walk away knowing what he looks like. Xan has to show her the Governor is a bigger threat to the world than he is. Xan knows dragons never went extinct. They evolved with human society, taking on mortal forms, and slithered their way into positions of great influence and power, just like the Governor. But it's no easy chore proving to someone that dragons still exist, and even more so, they're disguised as famous people. Xan must convince Lois or find another way to silence her. An option, as he gets to know her, he likes less and less. After all, dragonslayers are no longer celebrated heroes but outlaws. Just as the dragons wish it. But this outlaw must make a plan to slay the dragon or risk its retribution.

Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood, but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she's not writing or reading, she having adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on Syfy Channel. She's a member of S.C.I.F.I. The 13th Floor series is her first self-published series. She has four novellas and eighteen short stories published. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.

This 3rd Book in the Dragonslayer series is available on Amazon, B &N, Smashwords, Kobo, and it also appears on Goodreads. I suggest you guys hurry up and grab your copy!

There's something real behind every superstition and it lives in our minds. I love your 'what if' approach. I always have trouble with the 'why' and have written myself into a dead end many times because I didn't tackle it before I started writing.

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About the Blog

D Biswas has been writing fiction for six years, and blogs about her writing journey. She appreciates the blessings all her blog-friends have brought her over the years, and thanks them all.
Find her at http://amloki.com.
On Twitter, she is @damyantig. She'd love to hear from you.